Mayo: Rubio or Jeb -- who's better Republican choice in 2016?

Marco Rubio Campaigns in Central Florida

JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio waves to supporters at the Marks Street Seniors Center as he departs Orlando on the first leg of a four-day, 14-city statewide campaign bus tour, Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Rubio rallied supporters in downtown Orlando, before heading to The Villages, Fla. for evening events.

GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio waves to supporters at the Marks Street Seniors Center as he departs Orlando on the first leg of a four-day, 14-city statewide campaign bus tour, Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Rubio rallied supporters in downtown Orlando, before heading to The Villages, Fla. for evening events. (JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Marco Rubio is the Republican party's rising star and media darling, gracing the cover of Time magazine (called a 'savior') and giving his party's rebuttal to President Obama's state of the union address on Tuesday.

The junior senator from Florida is usually a pretty smooth operator, but Rubio had an awkward moment when his dry mouth got the best of him and he had to reach for a swig of Poland Springs water mid-speech (what, no Florida water like Crystal Springs around in D.C.?)

His party thinks he's ready for prime time, but is Rubio ready for the ultimate spotlight: the presidency?

He's already getting a lot of buzz for 2016, but I don't know. I think the Republicans might have a stronger candidate, a more polished candidate, a more experienced candidate. Another candidate from Florida who could also lead in a new direction when it comes to opening the Republican tent to Hispanics and immigrants.

His name is Jeb.

The last name is Bush, and that might be a problem, considering how the last one left the White House.

But by 2016, the negative family baggage might be forgotten. And Jeb Bush has strong Latino bona fides, fluent in Spanish and married to a woman born in Mexico.

As Florida governor, Jeb Bush was Marco Rubio's political mentor, so it's going to be interesting if a teacher-pupil rivalry develops.

Rubio is young enough to wait until 2020 or 2024 (oh my God, am I already talking about the 2024 campaign?).

But Jeb will be reaching his political expiration date soon. Does he want to run for the White House? He took a pass last year, which I think was a shrewd move. It's much easier to take on a non-incumbent, which is the scenario that will take place in 2016.

This could get interesting. And more awkward than a mid-speech sip of water.